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Adjusting MP3 Audio Using Audacity

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Adjusting MP3 Audio Using Audacity

Audacity is an open-source, freeware application that allows the user to edit a wide variety of audio files. In this article, we are only going to focus on how to use the program to lower or raise the volume, as well as export your file to reduce file size for the MP3 file you wish to use for auto attendants or hold music. 

Note: SimpleVoIP is not in any partnership or affiliation with Audacity and we cannot speak to the application's security features. You are downloading and using a 3rd party software app that we are recommending, but it is not a requirement for service with SimpleVoIP. Always use your best judgment when installing new software.

1. Download and install Audacity. 

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2. Import Your File

  • Click File > Import > Audio
  • Search for your audio file.
    • Audacity supports many file types. For a comprehensive list, click here. 
  • Once you've selected your file, double click on it to open in Audacity
  • You will see the file as a visual soundwave in two rows. Top row is for Left Audio, bottom row is for Right Audio (Stereo)

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  • For proper sound levels, make sure that your waves do not peak at or near the top of the bar. This will cause distortion and make your audio file sound like it's playing through a loudspeaker aimed at your callers. 
  • As you play your file, you can see your audio levels in the top ribbon. There are 3 colors to look for.
    • Green = Great audio range
    • Yellow = Maximum audio levels, will begin distortion on some speakers
    • Red = Too high, most or all speakers will distort sound, even at low volume

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  •  To increase or decrease volume, use your selection tool mceclip2.png to highlight all or parts of the track you want to update. 
  • Click on the Effect menu > Amplify and use the slider to increase or decrease volume. You will see that the program will automatically calculate the new Peak Amplitude limits and you can choose whether or not to allow clipping.
    • Clipping will flatten audio at peak levels to avoid damaging speakers or other hardware should this audio file be played too loud.

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  • You may preview your changes to make sure the audio sounds correct before you apply the Efect. If you happen to apply it, and don't like the change, simply undo by selecting Edit > Undo or using Ctrl+Z

3. Export Your File.

  • Unlike most programs, audio and video rendering applications require that you Export a file, rather than saving it. Saving the file means you may re-open the audacity file you are working on, exporting it turns it into an audio file to be used with other devices as intended.
  • If you are satisfied with the sound and length of your audio file, click File > Export > Export as MP3*
    • MP3 is the chosen format for our menu systems. no other file type is supported.

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  • When exporting, you can choose the quality of your audio. If your track is short enough, you may use 320 kbps. This is studio-quality lossless audio.
    • However, if your file size is too big, but you can't cut your file down any further in length (click here for more how-to guides on other editing techniques) you can select a lower quality bit rate which will reduce the file size.
    • SimpleVoIP audio files may not exceed 5Mb
    • Lower quality audio will work well for this application as phone-based menus, auto attendants, and hold music are playing on mono channel, low-quality speakers. Higher bit rates are rarely able to be detected on these devices. 

4. Reducing File Size

If you are otherwise satisfied with the volume and length of your file, but it exceeds the file size limit of 5MB, then importing the file to re-export in a lower quality may be the key. 

A. Open Audacity

  • Click File > Import > Audio
  • Search for your audio file.
    • Audacity supports many file types. For a comprehensive list, click here. 
  • Once you've selected your file, double click on it to open in Audacity

A. Export to Save as a Smaller File

  • Click File > Export > Export as MP3*
    • MP3 is the chosen format for our menu systems. no other file type is supported.
    • On the Quality drop-down menu, select Medium 145-185 kbps. This can reduce your overall file size by up to 2MB depending on the length of the audio track.
  • If you are not able to lower your audio quality to make it fit in the <5MB requirement, then you will need to reduce the length of the audio file. 
    • You can visit Audacity to learn more about how to trim and edit your audio files here.

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